“I am thankful for the adversities which have crossed my path and taught me tolerance, perseverance, self-control, and some other virtues I might never have known.”
-Anonymous
How do the words above resonate with you?
Pause here for a moment and free yourself from distractions:
Take a deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... calm your mind and be present...
Tolerance, perseverance , self-control...
What has adversity taught you? Think about that for a moment, what virtues would you add to the list...
One would rather not face adversity, or watch those we love go through it. But adversity is an inevitable part of life that teaches us many things and prepares us for things to come.
The headlines lately have been difficult for many of us to face. It’s a daily battle to keep moving forward. Don’t give up. Iyanla Vanzant shares this timely perspective: from Acts of Faith: Daily Meditations for People of Color
The best way to ensure that we make it through the battle is to focus on the outcome, not the war.
When we focus on the goal and not the obstacles that can and come about, we ensure victory.
How do you define focus? What's your personal definition....
focus /noun/: the center of interest or activity.
focus /verb/: pay particular attention to.
We are prepared for the fight. Let’s not loose focus.
What is the outcome your passion motivates you to fight for? Be clear... Clarity makes a difference...
"Focus on the outcome not the obstacle." -Unknown
7 Useful Tips for Improving Your Mental Focus:
by, Kendra Cherry verywellmind.com
1. Assess Your Mental Focus: Begin by assessing just how strong your mental focus is at the present moment.
Your Focus Is Good If...
-You find it easy to stay alert
-You set goals and break tasks up into smaller parts
-You take short breaks, then get back to work
Your Focus Needs Work If...
-You daydream regularly
-You can't tune out distractions
-You lose track of your progress
2. Eliminate Distractions: We often underestimate just how many distractions prevent them from concentrating on the task at hand.
From External Sources...
-set aside a specific time and place and request to be left alone for that period of time.
-seek out a calm location where you know you will be able to work undisturbed. private room in your house, library, coffee shop
From Internal Sources... Exhaustion, worry, anxiety, poor motivation, and other internal disturbances can be particularly difficult to avoid.
-make sure you are well-rested prior to the task.
-use positive thoughts and imagery to fight off anxiety and worry.
3. Limit Your Focus: Stop multitasking and instead give your full attention to one thing at a time. Think of your attention as a spotlight. If you shine that spotlight on one particular area, you can see things very clearly.
4. Live in the Moment: You have probably heard people talk about the importance of "being present.” It's all about putting away distractions, whether they are physical (your mobile phone) or psychological (your anxieties) and being fully mentally engaged in the current moment.
Being present is essential for recapturing your mental focus. Staying engaged in the here and now keeps your attention sharp and your mental resources honed in on the details that really matter at a specific point in time.
5. Practice Mindfulness: People have practiced forms of mindfulness meditation for thousands of years and studies show it has many health benefits.
-improvement in concentration and focus.
-stay on task longer
-perform the more efficiently
Practicing mindfulness can involve learning how to meditate, but it can also be as simple as trying a quick and easy deep breathing exercise:
Start by taking several deep breaths while really focusing on each and every breath. When you feel your mind naturally begin to wander, gently and uncritically guide your focus back to your deep breathing.
This breathing activity is something you can do anywhere and anytime. With practice, you will find that it becomes easier to disengage from intrusive thoughts and return your focus to where it belongs.
6. Take a Short Break: When you are working on a prolonged task, such as preparing your taxes or studying for an exam, be sure to give yourself an occasional mental break.
-Shift your attention to something unrelated to the task at hand, even if it is only for a few moments.
These short moments of respite might mean that you are able to keep your mental focus sharp and your performance high when you really need it.
7. Keep Practicing: Building your mental focus is not something that will happen overnight. One of the first steps is to recognize the impact that being distracted is having on your life.
-Start placing a higher value on your time.
By building your mental focus, you will find that you are able to accomplish more and concentrate on the things in life that truly bring you success, joy, and satisfaction.
"Always remember your focus determines your reality" -George Lucas
How do you cultivate focus when the pressure is on?
Where is your focus today, and how is it guiding you forward?
What are you willing to do?
Don’t miss your opportunity! Be intentional, encourage others to do the same and watch what happens.
You got this!
Coach Tavia
#accountability, #responsibility,#truth, #youmatter, #honoryourself, #live, #bepositive, #behappy, #ownyourpower, #ittakescourage, #commitment, #thinkforyourself, #believe, #trustyourself, #learnandgrow, #beconsistent, #selfawareness, #selfdiscovery, #maximizeyourpotential, #shareyourgifts, #seizeopportunity, #becreative, #reflect, #reach, #stretch, #bepresent, #faith, #confidence, #dothework, #leadbyexample, #justdoit, #lifecoach, #leadershipcoach, #leadershipdevelopment
References:
7 Useful Tips for Improving Your Mental Focus
Vanzant, Iyanla; Acts of Faith: Daily Meditations for People of Color. Atria, New York, NY 2020.
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